Written by Isa Riaño, Advertisement Manager
April is Stress Awareness Month and Saint Leo University students have shared some ways to manage stress. Saint Leo faculty has also raised awareness on resources for college students who struggle with their mental health.
College students may experience stress in different levels; however, freshmen usually experience more anxiety than other students.
“It is the first time for midterms, to look for advising, choosing courses, and learning how grading works,” said Emma Manley, the assistant director of counseling services.
Additionally, freshmen take some time getting used to the transition from high school to college, being away from their parents, and making new friends.
“My first semester was somewhat challenging in terms of mental health,” said Taylor McCoy, a sophomore majoring in psychology.
However, seniors may also experience high amounts of stress.
“Concerns about meeting the graduation requirements and life after college can take a toll on students in their last year of college,” said Manley.
Common stressors for college students include issues with family, long commutes, and time management.
“I lived more than an hour away from campus for two years,” said Noah Henry, a senior majoring in psychology. “It was definitely a struggle.”
According to Manley, it is crucial for students to have a calendar or an agenda with the list of activities that they have to do.
“Prioritize your obligations each week, assigning time for studying, working, family/friends and yourself,” said Manley.
Stress is not always bad and may result in positive effects for students’ academic performance.
“If the stress is treated as a response tool rather than an obstacle, it can actually help achieve goals and finish workload,” said Manley.
However, untreated stress can become harmful when it becomes chronic. According to Manley, the effects of untreated stress range from poor academic performance to heart disease and diabetes.
Therefore, it is essential that college students manage their stress effectively. Finding activities that students enjoy outside of school is an effective way of doing so.
“A hobby or a sport can break the tension of everyday life,” said Manley.
Additionally, it is important for students to find a support system that they can reach out to when struggling with stress.
“Surround yourself with people that can lift you up, encourage you, listen without judgment and provide objective perspective,” said Manley.
Other coping skills students can use include journaling and meditation.
Unsurprisingly, mental health in college students seems to be a bigger concern every year.
“During the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60 percent of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study, which collects data from 373 campuses nationwide,” said Manley.
To support students, most college campuses including Saint Leo have resources available. To schedule an appointment with the Counseling Center, students can email counseling@saintleo.edu.
Students can also go to the Wellness Center website (https://wellness.saintleo.edu/Program/GetProducts?classification=3d185d52-342b-42fa-9766-e742b33ff408) to schedule community yoga classes.
Additionally, students can access Engage Leo (https://saintleo.campuslabs.com/engage/organizations) and look for clubs or activities that may be a good fit for them to release stress.
With April almost ending and finals coming up, it is vital for students to learn about stress management in college. Let’s take the time to appreciate all the resources available for mental health.
